The 2025 Antarctic ozone hole shrank to its fifth smallest size since 1992, according to NASA and NOAA. The hole peaked in early September over Antarctica and began breaking up almost three weeks early, showing steady atmospheric improvement driven by global chemical restrictions.

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• 2025 ozone hole fifth smallest since 1992
• Peak size averaged 18.71 million sq km in Sept–Oct
• One-day maximum on Sept 9 reached 22.86 million sq km
• Size nearly 30% smaller than 2006 record level
• Hole began breaking up three weeks earlier than normal
• Montreal Protocol cuts in CFCs driving long-term recovery
• Ozone layer protects Earth from harmful UV radiation
• Ozone-depleting chemicals down by one-third since 2000 peak
• Weaker polar vortex contributed to smaller hole in 2025
• Full recovery to 1980s levels expected by late 2060s